2025 Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography: Capture the Milkyway
Staring up at the night sky, it's hard not to feel a sense of wonder. Astrophotography allows us to capture that awe and share it with others. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills, here's a comprehensive guide to help you photograph the stars…
CAPTURED IN COLORADO’S GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK - A DESIGNATED DARK SKY PARK
To photograph the night sky effectively, manual settings are crucial. These settings provide a solid foundation, but feel free to adjust based on your specific conditions and equipment.
Here's a baseline to get you started:
Mode: Manual
Aperture: f/2.8, 3.2 or wider F4
Shutter Speed: 20–30 seconds (experiment) If stars are trailing (a tail is showing when you zoom in) make your exposure time shorter.
ISO: 1600–3200 (experiment) Too much noise? Give 2500 a try. Too few stars? Crank that ISO up to 3200
Focus: Manual, set to infinity. If you are using an EVF, zoom in on a single star and make sure that single star is in focus.
Time mode: To avoid camera shake, set your timer mode to 2 seconds, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds.
White Balance: Between 3400k and 4400k
File Format: RAW
CAPTURED IN BUENA VISTA, COLORADO
Investing in the right gear can make a significant difference:
Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with good low-light performance. I prefer to use my Sony A7R4 or Riii.
Lens: A wide-angle lens (14mm–24mm) with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or wider). I prefer to use my Sony 16-35 F2.8 G-Master, another great alternative would be Sony Zeiss 16-35mm F4, you could also use a Sony 24-70mm F2.8 G-Master (keeping the focal length between 24-35mm). Sometimes I use my Sony Zeiss 55mm F1.8 but the settings from above need to be tweaked down to about 10-15 second exposures.
Tripod: A sturdy tripod is essential to prevent camera shake during long exposures.
Remember, the best gear is the one you have and know how to use.
Additional Tools: Headlamps, PhotoPills App, planning for Milkyway Season and Practice
Headlamp: Use a headlamp with a red light mode to preserve your night vision. Red light doesn't interfere with your eyes' adaptation to the dark.
Practice: Familiarize yourself with your camera settings and gear at home before heading out. This ensures you're prepared to operate a camera in the dark… when you're under the stars.
PhotoPills App: This app helps you plan your shots by showing you the position of the Milky Way and other celestial objects at any given time and location. PhotoPills
Moon Phases: Aim for nights with a new moon to reduce light interference.
Milky Way Season: In the Northern Hemisphere, the core of the Milky Way is most visible from late February to October, with peak visibility between April and August.
Light pollution can hinder your ability to capture the night sky. Aim for locations with minimal artificial light:Dark Sky Parks: Designated areas known for their dark skies.
Remote Areas: Places far from city lights.
Use Light Pollution Maps: Tools like Dark Site Finder can help you locate optimal spots.
Buena Vista, Colorado, for instance, offers some of the darkest skies in the state, making it an excellent choice for astrophotography.
How to Use PhotoPills to plan an epic Milkyway Shot:
Why Dark Skies Matter…
Capturing the Milky Way requires dark skies because artificial light washes out the faint details of the galaxy. Areas with low light pollution allow the camera to pick up the subtle nuances of the night sky, revealing stars, nebulae, and the galactic core in stunning detail. Our Dark Skies are becoming threatening with satellites, street light pollution therefore it’s important to research and use a ‘Dark Sky Finder’ to ensure you will be in a place dark enough to see and capture the Milkyway. Embarking on astrophotography is a journey of patience and wonder. With the right settings, gear, and planning, you'll be well on your way to capturing the beauty of the cosmos. Happy shooting! Check out our guided astrophotography workshops below:
Gear Suggestion Links and Must-Haves:
Sony 16-35mm GM F.28
Sony Zeiss 16-35mm F4
Sony 16mm F1.8 G
Sony 24-70mm GM II F2.8
Tamron 11-20mm F2.8
Sony Zeiss 55mm F1.8 (experimenting with a 55mm can be fun! However, you will need to adjust your settings.)
A sturdy tripod, like this one by ProMaster Photo. I prefer their XCM Series, Carbon Fiber if you can spend the $220 to get one, totally worth it.
A headlamp with a red light mode, like this one by Black Diamond.
Warm layers, hot cocoa, snacks, other light sources so you can see your gear backpack and have a lantern during setup.
Have questions or curiosities? Drop them below in the comments, I’d love to hear from you or send me a DM on Instagram: @frankiespontelli
